Laying unit, device and method for producing a fiber composite component

ABSTRACT

A laying unit for producing a fiber composite component includes a drive device which is formed for magnetic cooperation with a running face, which provides a magnetic field and/or is ferromagnetic, to advance the laying unit on the running face. A device for producing a fiber composite component comprising a laying unit of this type and a method for producing a fiber composite component comprising a device of this type are disclosed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to European Patent Application EP 15196 004.4 filed Nov. 24, 2015, the entire disclosure of which isincorporated by reference herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a laying unit and to a device and amethod for producing a fiber composite component.

BACKGROUND

Although they are applicable to any fiber composite material and anycomponents, the present disclosure and the set of problems on which itis based are described in greater detail with reference tocarbon-fiber-reinforced plastics materials (CFRP) and large components,for example fuselage parts of an aircraft or spacecraft.

At present, large CFRP components are generally manufactured usingautomated fiber placement (AFP) technology. For this purpose, verylarge-scale systems are required. This generally involves a laying robotrunning suspended on a gantry, comprising a fiber placement head or tapelaying head which lays fibers on a shaping tool, for example the cast ofa fuselage portion of an aircraft or spacecraft.

An approach to a fiber laying device differing from systems of this typeis described in DE 20 2011 110 519 U1. A rail system is providedcomprising a number of rails and a plurality of laying robots which aremovable on the rail system along the rails. The laying robots and therail system are controlled by a central master computer.

SUMMARY

One of the ideas of the present disclosure is to provide an improvedlaying unit and an improved device and an improved method for producinga fiber composite component.

Accordingly, the following are provided:

-   -   a laying unit for producing a fiber composite component,        comprising a drive device which is formed for magnetic        cooperation with a running face, which provides a magnetic field        and/or is ferromagnetic, to advance the laying unit on the        running face;    -   a device for producing a fiber composite component, comprising:        a shaping tool; and a laying unit according to the present        disclosure; and    -   a method for producing a fiber composite component, in        particular by a laying unit according to the present disclosure        and/or by a device according to the present disclosure,        comprising the following method steps: providing a shaping tool        and a magnetically drivable laying unit which is provided or        formed for laying a fiber material on the tool, and laying the        fiber material on the shaping tool in a predetermined fiber        arrangement by way of magnetically driven advancement of the        laying unit on a running face, which provides a magnetic field        and/or is ferromagnetic.

The finding behind the present disclosure is to advance a laying unitfor laying fiber material on a running face by a drive based onmagnetism. For this purpose, a drive device of the laying unit and/orthe running face can be magnetically activated in such a way that amagnetic field acting to advance the laying unit is provided.

The magnetic field can bring about advancement in various ways. To bringabout the advancement, the laying unit or a drive device of the layingunit can be magnetically attracted or repelled.

Further, as an alternative or in addition to bringing about theadvancement, a mass element, movable internally or externally on thelaying unit or on a housing thereof, of the drive unit may be displacedand/or deflected in such a way that the displacement and/or deflectionof the mass element leads to advancement of the laying unit. Forexample, this may lead to rolling or tilting of the laying unit or thehousing thereof.

In some embodiments, the laying unit may comprise a control device foractuating the drive device.

In some embodiments, the drive device comprises controllable magnets.These are formed to hold the laying unit on the running face duringcooperation with the ferromagnetic running face and/or to drive it in apredetermined advancement. Advantageously, the drive device can thusadvance automatically on the ferromagnetic running face. Further, as aresult of the magnetic attraction to the laying unit according to thepresent disclosure, fiber material can also advantageously be laid usinga running face which is vertical or extends overhead.

The ferromagnetic running face may additionally comprise controllablemagnets or permanent magnets cooperating with the controllable magnetsof the drive device.

The controllable magnets of the drive device may be provided orimplemented in various ways. In one embodiment, the drive device isformed as a pendulum provided to be integrated into the laying unit, inparticular inside a housing of the laying unit. The pendulum moves in amagnetically driven manner, for example at a minimum distance along aninner face or surface of the housing of the laying unit. The laying unitor the housing thereof is rolled or tilted so as to follow the pendulum.

As an alternative or in addition to a pendulum, movable controllablemagnets may also be provided on a guidance system provided inside thelaying unit, in particular on the inner face of the housing thereof. Forexample, rails or grooves are conceivable as a guide system.

In some embodiments, an outer skin of the housing or a layer of thelaying unit provided close to an outer skin may be formed to bemagnetisable. In particular, actuable electromagnets may be providedintegrated into the outer skin of the laying unit. To advance the layingunit, the magnetic field is shifted along the magnetisable outer skin orlayer in the desired direction of travel by way of correspondingactuation.

In addition to a controllable magnetic field, a constantly acting orstatic magnetic field may also be provided between the laying unit andthe running face. Thus, the laying unit can be held on the running faceindependently of an advancement, for example including for laying fibermaterial overhead. Further, a compacting force applied to the materialby the laying unit can thus also be set to a predetermined value. Theconstantly acting or static magnetic field can be provided bycontrollable and/or permanent magnets.

In some embodiments, the drive device comprises a ferromagnetic masselement. This is formed to hold the laying unit on the running faceduring cooperation with the running face providing a magnetic fieldand/or to drive it in a predetermined advancement. Advantageously, inthis embodiment no complex arrangement of controllable magnets has to beintegrated into the laying unit. The ferromagnetic mass element can beprovided movably inside a housing of the laying unit.

In some embodiments of the drive device, it may be conceivable for themagnetic drive to be assisted by an additional drive of a differenttype, for example by one or more electric motors, pneumatic motors orhydraulic motors. Further, in addition, a drive by compressed air isconceivable, for example by way of repulsion or in the form of a pulseddrive.

In some embodiments of the laying unit, a receiving portion is providedwhich is formed with a housing. In particular, the receiving portion maybe formed to hold a stock of fiber material in reserve, for example inthe form of a fiber coil. Thus, the laying unit can advantageouslytransport along the fiber material, which therefore does not have to besupplied externally, for laying at a predetermined location. In afurther development, the fiber material is supplied externally by way ofa supply device, the laying unit laying the fiber material at thepredetermined location. In this embodiment too, a housing is provided toform a receiving portion for receiving the further components of thelaying unit. The housing may be any type of mechanical housing. Thehousing may be formed closed or open at one or more faces. Inparticular, in the case of a cylindrical housing, a surface may berecessed in part or in whole. A frame-like embodiment of the housingwhich is open at all faces is also possible. Further, the housing may beformed divided into a plurality of housing portions. In particular,these may be two end-face end portions of the housing, it being possiblein particular for the fiber coil or a plurality of fiber coils to bearranged in between. Intermediate portions of the housing may also beprovided, in particular between the fiber coils.

In one embodiment, a holding device is provided which holds or mountsthe components of the laying unit inside the housing. The holding deviceitself may be provided mounted in a fixed or movable manner inside thehousing. For a movable holding device, the position of the components iscorrected in such a way that they are always orientated in a desireddirection adapted to the advancement of the laying unit. For example,for this purpose, an inner housing, which is rotatable relative to thehousing, may be provided inside the housing with a slightly lowerdiameter. For this purpose, the inner housing may be coupled to thehousing via mechanical or magnetic bearings. A configuration of thistype is conceivable in particular for a conical or cylindrical housing.

In some embodiments, the drive device is provided on or in the housing.The housing is formed to be able to be rolled along on the running faceto advance the laying unit. The housing thus simultaneously performs aplurality of roles of receiving the fiber material and providing arolling face which can be rolled along on the running face to advancethe laying unit.

In a further embodiment, the drive device comprises magnets and/orferromagnetic mass elements which are movable relative to the housing.In particular, these are provided movably on the periphery of thehousing. Advantageously, the drive device may therefore also be arrangedin the immediate vicinity of the running face, in particular directly onthe running face, during the advancement of the laying unit.

In a further embodiment, the drive device is formed as a drive rollercoupled to the housing. Advantageously, this is a drive device which iscomparatively simple to produce and which is provided merely coupled torather than integrated into the housing. Further, a drive roller of thistype may also provide additional stability of the laying unit whenstationary or during advancement.

In some embodiments, the drive device is formed as a laying device forlaying and/or compacting a fiber material on a tool in a defined manner.In particular, this may be provided in the case of a drive device in theform of a drive roller. Advantageously, in addition to the function offorce transmission to the running face, the drive roller thus also takeson the function of laying and/or compacting the fiber material in adefined manner. The laying unit can thus advantageously also be used tocompact previously laid fiber material. The forces applicable by thelaying device for laying and/or compacting in a defined manner can beregulated or set by way of the strength of the magnetic field providedfor advancing and/or holding the laying unit on the running face.

In a further embodiment, the drive device is provided as a heatingdevice for activating a resin or binder of the laid fiber material. Inthis context, there is a particular synergistic effect with the magneticdrive, since this produces eddy currents during advancement which heatthe heating device and/or the running face locally because of theelectrical resistances thereof. The heating device may in particular beformed as a self-heating drive roller and/or as a drive roller whichheats the running face. Further, a combined embodiment of the drivedevice is possible, in particular in the form of a drive roller, as alaying device for laying and/or compacting in a defined manner and as aheating device for activating a resin or binder. Advantageously,functional integration is thus provided in one component.

In one embodiment of a device for producing a fiber composite component,the shaping tool is formed as a running face. In particular, it is aferromagnetic running face. The running face, in other words the tool,is formed in such a way that the laying unit can be advanced by way ofmagnetic cooperation between the drive device and the running face onthe running face. Advantageously, the laying unit may thus advancedirectly on the tool under magnetic drive.

In a further embodiment of the device for producing a fiber compositecomponent, a hollow body is provided, the inner face of which is formedas a running face for the laying unit. On this, the laying unit can beadvanced by magnetic cooperation with the running face. The shaping toolcan thus be arranged inside the hollow body in such a way that thelaying unit advancing on the running face winds or twists the fibermaterial around the tool. By winding or twisting around a shaping tool,complex geometries can advantageously be formed. In this case, theshaping tool may also be formed as a core, optionally as a lost core.Other complex geometries having high flexibility, for example having awide range of winding or twisting patterns or else having differentshapes and/or different sizes of tools and hollow bodies, may further beformed.

In one embodiment, the running face contains controllable magnets, whichare formed to be actuable to cooperate with the drive device formagnetically driven advancement of the laying unit on the running face.The laying units each comprise a drive device which cooperates with thecontrollable magnets of the running face for magnetically drivenadvancement on the running face. The magnets are actuated foradvancement of the individual laying units on the running face by acontrol unit. Preferably, this takes place using the control unitsinherent to each laying unit.

In one embodiment, the running face comprises communication devices,which are configured to transmit control commands of a control device toactuate the controllable magnets to advance the laying unit. Inparticular, the communication devices are configured to transmit controlcommands of the control devices integrated into the laying units toactuate the controllable magnets to advance the laying unit.Advantageously, the laying unit may thus advance autonomously on therunning face under magnetic drive, without necessarily containingcontrollable magnets itself.

The above embodiments and developments can be combined in any desiredmanner, within reason. Further, all features of the laying unit and ofthe device for producing a fiber composite component are transferrableto the method for producing a fiber composite component. Furtherpossible embodiments, developments and implementations of the presentdisclosure also include combinations not explicitly mentioned offeatures of the present disclosure which are described above or in thefollowing in relation to the embodiments. In particular, a personskilled in the art will also add individual aspects to the relevantbasic form of the present disclosure as improvements or additions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the following, the present disclosure is described in greater detailwith reference to the accompanying drawings. The elements of thedrawings are not necessarily shown to scale.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of a device for producing a fibercomposite component;

FIG. 2A is a schematic front view of a device for producing a fibercomposite component in accordance with a further embodiment;

FIG. 2B is a schematic side view of a device for producing a fibercomposite component in accordance with a further embodiment;

FIG. 3A, 3B show the device for producing a fiber composite componentwith a first modification;

FIG. 4A, 4B show the device of FIG. 3A, 3B with a further modification;

FIG. 5 is a schematic sectional view of an embodiment of a device forproducing a fiber composite component;

FIG. 6 is a schematic sectional view of a further embodiment of a devicefor producing a fiber composite component;

FIG. 7A is a schematic longitudinal sectional view of a spherical layingunit;

FIG. 7B is a schematic cross-sectional view of the laying unit of FIG.7A;

FIG. 8A, 8B show a laying unit in accordance with a further embodiment;

FIG. 9A, 9B show a laying unit in accordance with another furtherembodiment;

FIG. 10A, 10B show a laying unit in accordance with a furtherembodiment;

FIG. 11A is a schematic longitudinal sectional view of a cylindricallaying unit;

FIG. 11B is a schematic cross-sectional view of the laying unit of FIG.11A;

FIG. 12A, 12B show a laying unit in accordance with a furtherembodiment;

FIG. 13A, 13B show a laying unit comprising a drive roller;

FIG. 14A, 14B show a laying unit comprising movable fiber coils;

FIG. 15A, 15B show a laying unit comprising a laying device;

FIG. 16A, 16B show a laying unit in accordance with a furtherembodiment;

FIG. 17A, 17B show a laying unit in accordance with another furtherembodiment; and

FIG. 18A, 18B show a laying unit comprising an external supply devicefor fiber material.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the drawings, unless otherwise specified, like reference numeralsdenote like or functionally equivalent components.

FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of a device 1 for producing a fibercomposite component.

The device 1 comprises a shaping tool 2 and a plurality of laying units3, 3′, 3″. The tool 2 is formed as a running face 6 for the laying units3, 3′, 3″.

The laying units 3, 3′, 3″ are each formed to lay a fiber material 4 onthe shaping tool 2. They each comprises a control device 5, 5′, 5″,which is configured to actuate the relevant laying unit 3, 3′, 3″ inautomatic cooperation with the further laying units 3, 3′, 3″ forjointly laying a predetermined fiber arrangement.

The laying units 3, 3′, 3″ are shown while laying the fiber material 4,a number of three laying units 3, 3′, 3″ being shown purely by way ofexample. Instead of three, there may be any other desired number oflaying units 3, 3′, ( . . . ), 3 ^(n).

The laying units 3, 3′, 3″ are each formed for autonomous advancement onthe running face 6. Accordingly, they comprise sensors (not shown indetail) and a drive device, which cooperate with the control device 5,5′, 5″ for autonomous advancement. The sensors detect regions alreadyoccupied by fiber material 4, edge regions of the tool 2, and furtherlaying units. Further, the laying units 3, 3′, 3″ each comprisecommunication devices 7, 7′, 7″ which are provided for communicationbetween the laying units 3, 3′, 3″. Thus, the pattern or thedistribution of the fiber arrangement among the laying units 3, 3′, 3″for laying the arrangement can be flexibly adjusted.

A laying unit is always actuated by the control device 5, 5′, 5″ in sucha way that a closest portion of the tool 2 to be occupied by a fiberlayer of the fiber material 4 is occupied, in a manner which is simpleto determine geometrically, in particular a straight line.

The communication devices 7, 7′, 7″ share information about previouslylaid portions between the laying units. Thus, the advancement paths ofthe laying units only cross if this is desired for the pattern to belaid of the fiber arrangement or if a laying unit moves to a new startpoint.

Upon reaching an edge or boundary of the tool 2 or a portion alreadyoccupied with fiber material 4 in the desired manner, the laying unit 3,3′, 3″ changes the advancement direction thereof under the actuation bythe control device. For example, the laying unit rotates with an offsetof a width of a fiber layer or laying path of the fiber material 4, andlays a further fiber layer on the previously laid laying path during anadvance in the opposite direction. If there are no free portions of thetool present adjacently, the laying unit moves to a new start pointwhich is not yet laid with a desired fiber layer. The start point ispreferably selected, by way of the information conveyed from the otherlaying units, at a point on the tool where there has not yet been anylaying in the desired manner.

This procedure is continued, in particular autonomously, until there areno longer any free portions of the tool 2 where the predetermined fiberarrangement provides laying. Thus, the entire shaping tool 2 is occupiedby fiber material 4.

The fiber material can be carried along by the laying units 3, 3′, 3″ ina reserve portion or supplied via an external supply.

FIG. 2A is a schematic front view of a device 1′ for producing a fibercomposite component in accordance with a further embodiment.

In this embodiment, unlike in FIG. 1, a hollow body 8 is provided as arunning face 6, the inner face 9 thereof forming the running face 6. Theshaping tool 2′ is spaced apart from the running face 6 and arrangedinside the hollow body 8 at least in part. The laying units 3, 3′, 3″move on the running face and thus wind or twist around the tool 2′,causing fiber to be laid on the tool 2′.

FIG. 2B is a schematic side view of a device for producing a fibercomposite component in accordance with a further embodiment.

An example advancement path of the laying unit 3, 3′, 3″ is indicatedusing dashed arrows.

The twisting or winding around the tool 2′ takes place in apredetermined manner. For example, the paths of the advancement of thelaying units 3, 3′, 3″ when encircling the tool 2′ may cross regularlyin the manner of a maypole pattern, in such a way that a typicaltwisting pattern of the fiber material 4 on the tool 2′ is produced.Other, in particular more complex twisting patterns can be produced withappropriately adapted advancement.

In the embodiment shown, the tool, which is of a length greater than thedepth of the hollow body 8 or the width of the running face 6, is passedthrough the hollow body 8 during the twisting. It is in particularpassed through continuously.

FIG. 3A, 3B show the device for producing a fiber composite componentwith a first modification.

Unlike in the embodiment of FIGS. 2A and 2B, in this case the runningface 6 is of a width or the hollow body is of a depth greater than thelength of the tool 2′. In this case, the tool 2′ can therefore bearranged stationary inside the hollow body, the laying units 3, 3′, 3″also advancing axially along the hollow body and thus being able to windor twist fully around the tool 2′.

FIG. 4A, 4B show the device in accordance with FIG. 3A, 3B with afurther modification.

In this modification, a more complex shape of a tool 2″ is shown by wayof example. The hollow body 8′ is of a shape matching the shape of thetool 2″. Varying distances of the tool 2″ from a central axis are alsovaried on the hollow body 8 if appropriate and thus compensated. In thepurely exemplary embodiment shown, the shape of the tool 2″ and of thehollow body 8 is elliptical in cross section.

Instead of or in addition to an elliptical shape, any other types ofcomplex shape are also conceivable. For example, the tool 2″ andaccordingly also the hollow body 8′ could taper in the longitudinaldirection thereof, in particular be formed in a domed shape. Further,the tool 2″ and the hollow body 8′ could also follow another shape whichvaries in the transverse and vertical directions.

FIG. 5 is a schematic side view of an embodiment of a device 1 formanufacturing a fiber composite component. This may be a device 1, 1′,1″, 1′″ formed in accordance with any of FIGS. 1 to 4B.

In this embodiment, the running face 6 is formed to be ferromagnetic.The laying unit 3 comprises a spherical housing 13. As an alternative toa spherical housing the housing may also be formed as a cylindrical, inparticular circular cylindrical housing.

Inside the housing 13, a drive device 10 running movably along the innerwall of the housing 13 is provided. The drive device 10 is formed as asphere-segment pendulum movable in the circumferential direction of thehousing 13, and comprises magnets 11 actuable to act in various radialdirections. In the case of a circular cylindrical housing, this isaccordingly a cylinder-segment pendulum.

If the drive device 10 is shifted in the orientation thereof relative tothe housing 13 by cooperation of the magnets 11 with the ferromagneticrunning face 6, this also causes the housing 13 to follow or rolltowards the drive device.

The magnets 11 are actuated accordingly to advance the laying unit 3 bythe control device 5.

As an alternative to a freely movable pendulum, guide devices, forexample a rail system or the like, for guiding the drive device 10 maybe provided on the inner face of the housing 13.

FIG. 6 is a schematic sectional view of a further embodiment of a devicefor producing a fiber composite component. This may also be a device 1,1′, 1″, 1′″ formed in accordance with any of FIGS. 1 to 4B.

In this embodiment, the running face 6′ comprises a number ofcontrollable magnets 12. The laying unit 3 comprises a drive device 10′cooperating therewith, which is for example also provided as a movablependulum freely movable along the inner housing face. This is aferromagnetic pendulum.

The controllable magnets 12 are coupled to a receiving device 14, whichis formed to pass control commands of the control device 5 of the layingunit 3 to the individual magnets 12. The control device 5 is coupled tocommunication device 7 of the laying unit 3 in such a way that controlsignals can be transmitted to the receiving device 14.

Thus, the control device 5 can actuate the controllable magnets 12individually in a manner suitable for advancement, and thus generate amagnetic field for attracting the drive device 10′. If the drive device10′ is for example attracted by a magnet 12 arranged to the sidethereof, the device is deflected out of arrest position relative to thehousing 13 of the laying unit 3. Thus, the housing 13 and thus theentire laying unit are also caused to follow or roll towards the magnet12 presently generating the magnetic field.

The magnets 12 are accordingly actuated to advance the laying unit 3 bythe control device 5.

In the following, possible embodiments of the laying unit 3 aredescribed.

FIG. 7A is a schematic longitudinal sectional view of a spherical layingunit 103. FIG. 7B is a schematic cross-sectional view of the laying unit103 according to FIG. 7A.

The laying unit 103 comprises a spherical housing 113. A fiber coil 114is mounted inside the housing 113. For mounting the fiber coil 114, aholding device 115 in the form of a shaft is provided, which braces thefiber coil 114 mechanically against the housing 113. The holding device115 can be provided to be movable or stationary relative to the housing.

During advancement of the laying unit 103, the housing 113 rolls alongon an associated running face (not shown here). Fibre material 104 isunwound from the fiber coil 114 and laid on a tool (not shown here).

To advance the laying unit 103, a drive device 110 is provided. Thiscomprises magnets movable along an inner surface of the housing 113,which are formed controllably or as permanent magnets and/or [comprise]a ferromagnetic material. In particular, this may be a drive device asdescribed with reference to FIG. 5 or FIG. 6.

As an alternative to the movable magnets or the ferromagnetic material,the drive device 110 may also be formed as a layer provided integratedinto the housing or adjacent to the housing and having controllablemagnets introduced into it.

FIG. 8A, 8B show a laying unit in accordance with a further embodiment.

In this embodiment, the drive device 110 is formed with a magnet 111encircling the housing 113 peripherally by way of a guide 116. This maybe a permanent or a controllable magnet 111.

FIG. 9A, 9B show a laying unit in accordance with another furtherembodiment.

In this case, a sensor 117 downstream from the fiber material 104 isprovided. For improved clarity, the drive device 110 is omitted in thedrawing.

The downstream sensor 117 serves to measure the fiber quality of thefiber material 104. The sensor 117 may be various types of sensor, forexample a laser stripe sensor, polarized light sensor, contact imagesensor (CIS) or the like.

By the sensor 117, individual or a plurality of different qualityfactors can be detected. For example, a measurement of the width, afiber strand weight or a resin wetting level of the fiber layer of fibermaterial 104 to be laid can be provided. Further, by the sensor,impurities such as film residues from a backing paper can be detected.

Alternatively or in addition, the downstream sensor 117 is provided formeasuring the suitability of the surface of a material or component onwhich the fiber material 104 is to be laid. It is thus ensured thatlaying only takes place on a suitable surface, in particular the tool.Thus, for example defects, impurities or foreign substances on thesurface can be detected. It is thus possible to react to defects orforeign substances of this type by way of a control device 105 (notshown here) of the laying unit 103, which actuates the drive device 110to advance the laying unit 103. On the one hand, in reaction the layingof the fiber material 104 may be interrupted and a warning message maybe emitted to an operator. Further, the path of the laying of the fibermaterial 104 can be corrected, in particular in an automated manner. Itwould further be conceivable to introduce a counter measure in reaction,in an automated or manually controlled manner. For example, cleaning, inparticular by outputting pressurised air, to remove a foreign materialor impurity could be provided by way of an actuator, in particular acleaning nozzle, provided on the laying unit.

FIG. 10A, 10B show a laying unit 103 in accordance with a furtherembodiment. For improved clarity, the drive device 110 is omitted inthis case too.

In this embodiment, a sensor 118 upstream from the fiber material 104 isprovided for detecting the arrangement and/or quality of the laying ofthe fiber material 104. In this case too, the sensor 118 may be a widerange of types of sensor. For example, a laser stripe sensor, polarizedlight sensor, contact image sensor (CIS) or the like may be provided. Inparticular, errors in the laying of the fiber material 104 can thus bedetected. For example, detectable errors in the laid fiber material 104may be gaps between the laid fiber layers or tapes, twists, a splice ina fiber strand, an undesired overlap or undesired knotting (fuzzballs)and any undesired film residues.

FIG. 11A is a schematic longitudinal sectional view of a cylindricallaying unit 203. FIG. 11B is a schematic cross-sectional view of thelaying unit 203 of FIG. 11A.

Unlike the spherical laying units 103, the cylindrical laying unit 203is formed with a cylindrical, in this case circular cylindrical housing213.

Inside the housing 213, by way of example a plurality of six fiber coils214 arranged side by side are provided. Any other desired number offiber coils, in particular including a single fiber coil, may beprovided.

A surface of the cylindrical housing 213 is recessed in the region ofthe fiber coils 214.

To mount the fiber coils 214, a holding device 215 (only shown in FIG.11A for improved clarity) in the form of a shaft is provided, and bracesthe fiber coils 214 mechanically against the housing 213.

During advancement of the laying unit 203, the housing 213 rolls alongon an associated running face. Fibre material 204 is unwound from thefiber coils 214 and laid on the tool.

To drive the advancement of the laying unit 203, the cylindrical housing213 comprises a drive device 210. This is formed with magnets, inparticular controllable or permanent, which are movable along an innersurface of the housing 213. Alternatively or in addition, the drivedevice 210 may contain a ferromagnetic material. This may in particularbe a drive device as described with reference to FIG. 5 or FIG. 6.

Further, as an alternative or in addition to the movable magnets or theferromagnetic material, the drive device 210 may also be formed as alayer provided in the housing 213 or adjacent to the housing 213 andhaving controllable magnets introduced into it.

FIG. 12A, 12B show a laying unit 203 in accordance with a furtherembodiment. For improved clarity, the drive device 210 is omitted here.

In the embodiment shown here, a sensor 218 upstream from the fibermaterial 204 is provided for detecting the arrangement and/or quality ofthe laying of the fiber material 204. The sensor 218 may be varioustypes of sensor for detecting various errors in the laying of the fibermaterial 204, as described with reference to FIGS. 10A and 10B for thesensor 118.

The fiber coils 214 are formed with a lower diameter in this case. Anelongated test path is thus available for testing, the sensor 218 beingpositioned in such a way that it can also measure the fiber quality ofthe fiber material 204 prior to laying.

FIG. 13A, 13B show a laying unit 203 comprising a drive roller 206.

In this case, in addition to the drive roller 219 the drive device 210is formed with laterally arranged support rollers 220. The drive device210 is coupled to the housing 213 via a coupling device 221, and carriesthe housing 213. Thus, unlike in the above-described cylindrical layingunits 203, in this case the housing 213 does not itself roll along onthe running face for advancement. This functionality is instead providedby the drive roller 219 and the support rollers 220.

The drive roller 219 is preferably magnetically driven. For thispurpose, it comprises for example controllable magnets (not shown forimproved clarity) which are actuable for magnetically driven advancementby a control device 205 of the laying unit 203.

Alternatively or in addition, the drive roller 219 may contain permanentmagnets and/or a ferromagnetic material, a drive of the [drive roller]219 being provided by a magnetic field, which can be excited by anassociated running face provided for the laying unit 203. For thispurpose, the running face may be provided with a number of controllablemagnets, as described for example with reference to FIG. 6.

Further, the drive roller may also be formed with a magnetic and/orferromagnetic pendulum movable therein.

FIG. 14A, 14B show a laying unit 203 comprising movable fiber coils 214.

The movable fiber coils 214 are arranged spaced apart. In the region ofeach gap between the fiber coils 214, a housing portion 213′ is providedin each case which is formed in such a way that it makes movement of thefiber coils 214 in the region of the gap possible.

The distance between the fiber coils 214 is in particular equal to thewidth of a fiber coil 214 and/or a fiber layer or laying path of thefiber material 204 respectively laid thereby.

The fiber coils 214 are provided movably so as to be able to belaterally tiltable. Accordingly, the fiber coils 214 are mountedtiltably on the holding device 215 (not shown here for improvedclarity). As a result, fiber material 204 can also be laid on curved ordoubly curved surfaces.

The housing portions 213′ are movable in a direction perpendicular to anaxis of the housing 213, in this case in particular vertically, and canthus prevent bumps in a tool. As an alternative to the housing portions213′ being displaceable, it would also be conceivable to provide thatthe housing portions 213′ are elastically deformable or compressible toprevent bumps.

For continuously laying fiber material, the same path is preferablytravelled twice by a laying unit 203 of this type, in the same or theopposite direction, with an offset of one fiber coil width or fiberlayer width.

Individual or all of the housing portions 213′ may be provided withadditional drive devices 210.

FIG. 15A, 15B show a laying unit 203 comprising a laying device 222.

Both the drive device 210 and the laying device 222 are formed with thedrive roller 219. In addition to the drive roller 219, the drive device210 and the laying device 222 comprise lateral support rollers 220 andare coupled to the housing 213 via a coupling device 221.

The laying device 222 serves to lay and/or compact a fiber layer of thefiber material 204 in a defined manner. The laying unit 203 can thusadvantageously also be used to compact previously laid fiber material.

The forces applicable by the laying device 222 for laying and/orcompacting in a defined manner can be regulated or set by way of thestrength of the magnetic field provided for advancing and/or holding thelaying unit on the running face.

The support rollers 220 may be formed as an upstream sensor system,which has a functionality analogous to the upstream sensor 218.Alternatively or in addition, the support rollers 220 may be providedfor compacting the fiber material 204.

The drive roller 219 may be provided as a heating device for activatinga resin or binder of a laid fiber layer of the fiber material 204. Inparticular, the drive roller is provided with a magnetic drive, whichgenerates eddy currents when the laying unit moves if they containferromagnetic material. The eddy currents heat the drive roller and/orthe running face locally because of the electrical resistances thereof.The heating device is thus formed as a drive roller which heats itselfduring advancement and/or as a drive roller which heats the runningface.

Preferably, a combined embodiment of the drive roller 219 is provided,as a laying device 222 for laying and/or compacting in a defined mannerand as a heating device 225 for activating a resin or binder.

FIG. 16A, 16B show a laying unit 203 in accordance with a furtherembodiment.

Unlike in the embodiment of FIGS. 15A and 15B, in this case the driveroller 219 is provided as a single roller carrying the housing 213.

To stabilise the laying unit 203, an additional bracing device (notshown) may be provided. Alternatively, a control device 205 (not shown)for actuating the drive roller 219 may be provided, which actuates thedrive roller 219 in such a way that the laying unit 203 is heldstationary on the drive roller 219 in constant balance or equilibrium.It is also possible to provide a further, counteracting motor. This maybe provided at a connection between the coupling device 221 and thehousing 213 and additionally serve to stabilise the laying unit 203.

In this case too, the drive roller 219 is preferably formed to bemagnetically driven. It may simultaneously provide the propulsion foradvancing the laying unit 203 and for compacting the laid fiber material204.

FIG. 17A, 17B show a laying unit 203 in accordance with another furtherembodiment.

The embodiment shown here draws on the embodiment of FIGS. 15A and 15B.By way of difference, a support roller 220 downstream from the fibermaterial 204 is additionally provided.

In this case, the coupling device 221 is formed in multiple parts, withtwo connecting portions 223 for the support rollers 220, the downstreamand upstream support roller 220 being mounted in a movable manner withrespect to the drive roller 219 by way of the connecting portions 223.Thus, even curved surfaces can reliably be travelled.

The downstream support roller 220 may contain a downstream sensor 217.In this case, the downstream sensor 217 is provided for measuring thefiber quality of the fiber material 204 and/or for measuring thesuitability of the surface of a tool or component on which the fibermaterial 104 is to be laid. The sensor 217 may be various types ofsensor, the functionalities of which are as described with reference toFIGS. 9A and 9B for the downstream sensor 117.

FIG. 18A, 18B show a laying unit 303 comprising an external supplydevice 324 for fiber material 304.

The supply device 324 may for example be provided mounted on a freelymovable suspension, in such a way that it can advance freely togetherwith the laying unit 303. Preferably, the fiber material 304 is held inreserve in the supply device 324. Accordingly, here the laying unit 303does not comprise a housing for holding fiber material in reserve.

The laying unit 303 comprises a drive device 310 and laying device 322of the same construction as in the embodiment of FIGS. 17A and 17B. Thecoupling device 321 is here provided without a vertical portion andmerely with the connecting portions 323 for movably mounting the frontand rear support rollers 320.

The front and rear support rollers 320 may also, as described previouslyfor the laying unit 203, comprise downstream or upstream sensors. Thesupport roller 320 upstream from the fiber material 304 may optionallyor additionally be provided for compacting the fiber material 304.

The drive roller 319 is preferably also formed to be magneticallydriven. Optionally or additionally, it may be formed as a heatingelement.

Although the present disclosure has been described in the above by wayof preferred embodiments, it is not limited thereto, and can be modifiedin various ways.

For example, the laying device and/or the heating device may also beformed integrally with a drive device provided in the housing.

Further, the drive device may optionally or additionally also be formedas a layer of the laying unit which is provided in an outer skin orclose to an outer skin and which is magnetisable by an actuation system.In particular, actuable electromagnets may be integrated into the outerskin or into the layer. To advance the laying unit, the magnetic fieldis displaced along the outer skin or magnetisable layer in the desireddirection of travel by corresponding actuation.

In addition to a controllable magnetic field, a constantly acting orstatic magnetic field may also be provided between the laying unit andthe running face. In this way, the laying unit can be held on therunning face independently of the advancement, for example includingduring overhead operation. Further, in this way a compacting forceapplied to the fiber material by the laying unit can also be set to apredetermined value.

While at least one exemplary embodiment of the present invention(s) isdisclosed herein, it should be understood that modifications,substitutions and alternatives may be apparent to one of ordinary skillin the art and can be made without departing from the scope of thisdisclosure. This disclosure is intended to cover any adaptations orvariations of the exemplary embodiment(s). In addition, in thisdisclosure, the terms “comprise” or “comprising” do not exclude otherelements or steps, the terms “a”, “an” or “one” do not exclude a pluralnumber, and the term “or” means either or both. Furthermore,characteristics or steps which have been described may also be used incombination with other characteristics or steps and in any order unlessthe disclosure or context suggests otherwise. This disclosure herebyincorporates by reference the complete disclosure of any patent orapplication from which it claims benefit or priority.

What is claimed is:
 1. A laying unit for producing a fiber compositecomponent, comprising: a drive device which is formed for magneticcooperation with a running face, wherein the running face provides amagnetic field and/or is ferromagnetic, to advance the laying unit onthe running face, wherein the drive device comprises at least oneferromagnetic mass element which holds the laying unit on the runningface during cooperation with the running face providing a magnetic fieldand/or which drives the laying unit in a predetermined advancement. 2.The laying unit of claim 1, further comprising a receiving portionformed with a housing.
 3. The laying unit of claim 2, wherein the drivedevice is provided on or in the housing, wherein the housing isconfigured to be rolled along on the running face to advance the layingunit.
 4. The laying unit of claim 3, wherein the ferromagnetic masselement is movable peripherally on the housing.
 5. The laying unit ofclaim 2, wherein the drive device is formed as a drive roller coupled tothe housing.
 6. The laying unit of claim 2, wherein the receivingportion is configured to hold a supply of fiber material in reserve. 7.The laying unit of claim 1, wherein the drive device is a laying devicefor laying and/or compacting a fiber material on a tool in a definedmanner.
 8. The laying unit of claim 1, wherein the drive device includesa heating device for activating a resin or binder of a fiber material.9. The laying unit of claim 8, wherein the heating device is configuredto be heated by eddy currents.
 10. A device for producing a fibercomposite component, comprising: a shaping tool; and a laying unit forlaying fiber material comprising a drive device which is formed formagnetic cooperation with a running face, which provides a magneticfield and/or is ferromagnetic, to advance the laying unit on the runningface, wherein the running face is ferromagnetic, and the drive devicecomprises magnets which are configured to advance on the running face byway of magnetic cooperation of the drive device with the running face,or wherein the running face contains controllable magnets, which areformed to be actuable to cooperate with the drive device formagnetically driven advancement of the laying unit on the running face.11. The device of claim 10, wherein the shaping tool is the runningface, which is ferromagnetic.
 12. The device of claim 10, furthercomprising: a hollow body having an inner face which is formed as therunning face for the laying unit, the shaping tool being arrangeableinside the hollow body such that the laying unit advancing on therunning face winds or twists the fiber material around the shaping tool.13. The device of claim 10, wherein the running face comprisescommunication devices which are configured to transmit control commandsof a control device to actuate the controllable magnets for theadvancement of the laying unit.
 14. The device of claim 13, wherein thecontrol device is integrated into the laying unit.